New Derby Class Presented at 2008 Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic
RELEASE: January 30, 2008
AUTHOR/ADMINISTRATOR: By Anne Wargo
In what promises to be a new highlight of the Fidelity Investments Jumper Classic, to be held for the first time at Silver Oak Equestrian Center in Hampton Falls, NH, a Derby class, sponsored by Mohegan Sun, will offer competitors $15,000 in prize money. The Mohegan Sun Derby will challenge show jumpers with a unique course of 14-16 obstacles, some of which are natural jumps that may include a bank, ditch, water jump, liverpool, hedge or a grob. The Derby will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2008.
This is the second-largest class at the Jumper Classic, which offers 40 classes and more than $200,000 in prize money over five days of world-class show jumping competition, and is the only American Grand Prix Association (AGA) competition in New England. The show culminates on Sunday, September 7, with the $75,000 Fidelity Investments Grand Prix, won in 2006 and 2007 by Kent Farrington, currently in first place in the East Coast standings for 2007/2008 and second-place in the AGA Rider of the Year race. The 2007 $10,000 Mohegan Sun Speed Stake was won by Hillary Dobbs, the 2007 second-place winner of the AGA Rookie of the Year race.
"At Mohegan Sun, we see the professional level of competition and excitement of this sport and we are excited to be a part of the show jumping world through our affiliation with the Jumper Classic," said Marc Provost, Regional Marketing Manager for Mohegan Sun. 2008 marks the third year that Mohegan Sun will participate in the Jumper Classic.
"The Jumper Classic is thrilled to have this level of support from Mohegan Sun, and the chance to offer our first-ever Derby," said Melissa Lovasco, President of the Jumper Classic. "We have wonderful sponsors, and we've enjoyed working with Mohegan Sun for the past two years."
The Jumper Classic, headquartered in Gloucester, MA, and West Palm Beach, FL, kicked off the new year with the announcement that it will move from South Hamilton, MA, to Hampton Falls, NH, to a premier show jumping facility. 2008 marks the 19th year of this popular New England show jumping event, which has a long history of attracting over 500 horses and riders representing top national and international competitors, including Olympic athletes. Both local and national sponsors and audiences of over 10,000 come for the five days of the show, which features boutique shopping on the grounds, VIP dining, entertainment, and gourmet food in addition to the unique opportunity for spectators to see world-class show jumping.
Mohegan Sun, located in Uncasville, CT, is a premier destination with more than 300,000 square feet of gaming space; a 1,200-room luxury hotel tower; world-class spa; shops; restaurants; entertainment in three different venues, including a 10,000-seat arena, meeting and function space; a 10,000 square-foot indoor pool; a 3-story crystal mountain and a 55-foot indoor waterfall. It is currently in the midst of Project Horizon, a multi-million dollar expansion that calls for a new hotel, featuring over 250 House of Blues-themed rooms and an exclusive members-only House of Blues Foundation Room, 115,000 square feet of additional retail and restaurant space and a new 64,000 square-foot "Casino of the Wind." Upon full completion in 2010, Project Horizon is expected to add more than 1.4 million square feet to Mohegan Sun's existing structure.
For more information about Mohegan Sun, please visit
www.mohegansun.com.
For more information, please visit
www.jumperclassic.com or call (978) 283-7708.